15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
Providential
/ˌprɑːvɪˈdɛnʃəl/

Providence is the capital and largest city of Rhode Island, located at the head of Narragansett Bay on the Atlantic coast. The city was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who named it for 'God's merciful Providence' in finding the location. Providence shared the role of capital with Newport until 1900, when it became the sole seat of state government. The city is a historic seaport with a long maritime past, and its colonial and Federal-period architecture is among the finest in New England. Brown University, one of the oldest universities in the country, anchors the city's academic life, and its College Hill neighborhood draws visitors to historic streets and campus landmarks. The city's WaterFire installations, glowing bonfires along the rivers, draw crowds during the warmer months. Its waterfront and historic Benefit Street give visitors a memorable walk.
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Named by Roger Williams for 'God's merciful Providence' in finding the location.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
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Want to explore where Providentials live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
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Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region